Outboard motor cowling arrangement

ABSTRACT

An air intake system for an engine powering an outboard motor is disclosed. The engine is positioned within a cowling of the motor, the cowling including an air intake vent. The engine is vertically positioned, having a camshaft drive at an upper end thereof, the camshaft drive enclosed by a drive cover. An air passage is defined between the drive cover and cowling and leads from the vent to an engine air intake. The air intake comprises a passage formed by the cover and extending therethrough. The passage through the cover leads to a throttle body having a throttle plate therein, the throttle body connected to a surge tank from which runners extends to provide air to the combustion chambers. Air flows through the passage in the cover through a flexible hose member extending between the cover and the throttle body.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an air intake for an engine of anoutboard motor, and more particularly, to such an intake whichcooperates with a cowling of the motor and a camshaft drive cover of theengine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is well known, outboard motors for use in powering watercraft includean engine powering a water propulsion apparatus such as a propeller.These outboard motors have a cowling in which is positioned the engine.In order to keep the outboard motor small in dimension, the engine musthave a very compact arrangement.

One problem associated with these engines is their air intake systems.Often, the air intake comprises an elongate plenum which terminates atan air box with a filter therein. This plenum and air box are positionedalongside the engine so as not to protrude therefrom and increase thesize of the engine.

A problem exists, however, that positioning of the air inlet in a mannersimply to maintain the engine's small size may result in the air intakebeing positioned in a location where the air flow through the cowlingthereto is reduced. In addition, the air which does reach the intake maybe heated along the course of its path about the engine to the airintake, reducing the efficiency of the engine.

A compact and efficient air intake system for an engine of an outboardmotor is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an enginewhich is positioned within a cowling. The engine has a block with acylinder head connected thereto, the block and cylinder head defining atleast one combustion chamber. A member is movably positioned in eachcombustion chamber for driving a crankshaft. An intake passage extendsthrough the cylinder head to the combustion chamber, and an exhaustpassage extends through the cylinder head from the combustion chamber.At least one camshaft is provided for actuating means for opening andclosing the intake and exhaust passages. A camshaft drive is provided atone end of the engine, by which the crankshaft drives the camshaft.

A camshaft drive cover is positioned at the end of the engine andgenerally encloses the camshaft drive thereunder. The drive cover andcowling define therebetween an air passage leading from an air vent inthe cowling through the cowling along the engine. An engine air intakeis provided for routing the air from this passage through to the intakepassage leading to the combustion chamber. This intake comprises anopening in the drive cover and a passage leading therethrough to aflexible tube, the tube in turn leading to a throttle body and on to arunner extending to the intake passage.

The engine air intake of the present invention has the advantage thatincoming air is routed through the cowling away from the engine, so thatthe heat transfer from the engine to the air is minimized. In addition,formation of a passage in the camshaft drive cover eliminates the needfor a separate air intake plenum extending from the throttle body.Lastly, the flexible tube extending between the cover and throttle bodyallows for easy assembly of the engine and serves to reduce thetransmission of engine vibration between these components.

Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention overthe prior art will become apparent from the detailed description of thedrawings which follows, when considered with the attached figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an outboard motor having an engine arranged inaccordance with the present invention, with the engine and othercomponents internal to the motor illustrated in phantom;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the engine illustrated in FIG. 1, with certainportions thereof illustrated in cross-section;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the engine illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an opposite side view of the engine from that illustrated inFIG. 2, with certain portions thereof illustrated in cross-section;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the engine illustrated in FIG.4 and taken along line 5--5 therein;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the engine illustrated in FIG. 3 takenin the direction of arrow 6 therein;

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the engine illustrated inFIG. 6 and taken along line 7--7 therein;

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the engine illustrated inFIG. 5 and taken along line 8--8 therein;

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the engine illustrated inFIG. 2 and taken along line 9--9 therein;

FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the engine illustrated inFIG. 2 and taken along line 10--10 therein;

FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the engine illustrated inFIG. 4 and taken along line 11--11 therein; and

FIG. 12 diagrammatically illustrates the flow of coolant through theengine illustrated in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an outboardmotor 20 having an engine 22 arranged in accordance with the presentinvention.

As best illustrated in FIG. 1, the outboard motor 20 is utilized topower a watercraft 24. The outboard motor 20 has a powerhead area 26comprised of a lower tray portion 28 and a main cowling portion 30. Themotor 20 includes a lower unit 32 extending downwardly therefrom. Asteering shaft, not shown, is affixed to the lower unit 32 by means of alower bracket 34. The steering shaft is supported for steering movementabout a vertically extending axis within a swivel bracket 36. The swivelbracket 36 is connected by means of a pivot pin 38 to a clamping bracket40 which is attached to the watercraft transom 42. The pivot pin 38permits the outboard motor 20 to be trimmed and tilted up about thehorizontally disposed axis formed by the pivot pin 38.

The power head 26 of the outboard motor 20 includes the engine 22 whichis positioned within the cowling portion 30. The engine 20 is preferablyof the inline, four-cylinder variety, and thus includes a cylinder block44 which has a cylinder bank closed by a cylinder head assembly 46 in amanner which will be described. As also illustrated in FIG. 1, theengine 22 is oriented within the cowling 30 such that its cylinder head46 is positioned on the cylinder block 44 on the side opposite thewatercraft's transom 42.

A crankcase member 50 is affixed to the end of the cylinder block 44opposite the cylinder head 46. A crankshaft 52 is rotatably journalledin a crankcase chamber formed by the cylinder block 44 and the crankcasemember 50. As is typical with outboard motor practice, the engine 22 ismounted in the power head 26 so that the crankshaft 52 rotates about avertically extending axis. This facilitates coupling to a drive shaft 54in a manner which will be described.

The lower unit 32 has an upper or "drive shaft housing" section 56 and alower section 58 depending therebelow, and the drive shaft 54 extendsthrough both sections. An exhaust guide assembly 60 is positioneddirectly below the engine 22 within the lower unit 32.

The drive shaft 54 depends into the lower unit 32, wherein it drives aconventional bevel gear, forward neutral reverse transmission, indicatedgenerally by the reference numeral 62 and shown only schematically. Thetransmission 62 is shown in a schematic fashion because its constructionper se forms no part of the invention. Therefore, any known type oftransmission may be employed.

The transmission 62 drives a propeller shaft 64 which is journalledwithin the lower unit 32 in a known manner. A hub 66 of a propeller,indicated generally by the reference numeral 68, is coupled to thepropeller shaft 64 for providing a propulsive force to the watercraft 24in a manner well known in this art.

The construction of the engine 20 and its arrangement within the cowling30 will now be described in more detail, referring first primarily toFIGS. 1, 5 and 7. As illustrated therein, the cylinder block 44 andcylinder head 46 defined therein a number of variable volume combustionchambers 72, preferably totalling four in number, and arranged in avertical, inline fashion. It is understood that the engine 22 mayinclude as few as one combustion chamber or more than four.

Each combustion chamber 72 has a piston 74 which is connected to thecrankshaft 52 via a connecting rod 76. The cylinder head 46 ispreferably connected to the cylinder block 44 via a number of bolt 48,illustrated in FIG. 5.

As best illustrated in FIG. 2, an intake system 78 provides air to eachcombustion chamber 72. The intake system 78 includes air vents 80positioned in the cowling 30 of the motor 20. As best illustrated inFIG. 2, air drawn through these vents 80 passes into an air passage 85formed between the cowling 30 and a camshaft drive cover 84 positionedon the top of the engine 22.

The air passes to an inlet 82. The inlet 82 is formed by theintersection of a connecting portion 84a of the camshaft drive cover 84and a section of flexible tubing 86 (such as a section of robber hose)which extends to a throttle body 89. The connecting portion 84a of thecover 84 preferably comprises a tube-like passage formed through thecover.

The throttle body 89 extends in communication with a surge tank portion91 of an intake manifold 88. A throttle plate 90 is positioned withinthat portion of the inlet 82 defined by the throttle body 89 for use inregulating the rate of air flow into the engine 22 with throttle rod 93(which is connected to a user-operated throttle linkage, not shown), asis well known in the art.

The above-described arrangement has several advantages. First, theincoming air is routed to the air intake of the engine 22 along a pathwhich prevents it from being substantially heated by the engine 22. Thishas the advantage that the incoming air remains cool, improving theefficiency of the engine. In addition, since the camshaft drive cover 84includes an air directing connecting portion 84a, the need for a longair inlet pipe extending from the throttle body to the air vents iseliminated, thus saving on manufacturing costs and assembly. Also,because the connecting portion 84a of the cover 84 is connected to thethrottle body 89 with the flexible tubing 86, any alignment errorsbetween the two can easily be accommodated. Moreover, engine vibrationcan be absorbed, or at least is prevented from being transmitted,throughout the flexible tubing 86 between the cover 84 and throttle body89. Another advantage is that the air inlet 82 and throttle body 89 arepositioned at the top of the engine 22, reducing the possibility ofwater entering the system and fouling the engine 22.

Four runners 92 extend from the surge tank 91, the total number ofrunners equalling the number of combustion chambers 72. As bestillustrated in FIG. 7, these runners 92 extend to intake passages 94extending through the cylinder head 46 to the combustion chambers 72. Inthe present arrangement, the air inlet 82 and surge tank 91 arepreferably positioned on the side of the cylinder block 44 opposite thecylinder head 46, with the runners 92 extending around the engine totheir connection with the cylinder head (See FIG. 3). Further, therunners 92 are joined to one another in pairs, thereby facilitatingtheir easy assembly to the engine 22. In addition, the pairs of runnersare separated in the vertical direction, allowing simple access to otherengine features, such as an oil filter 220, described in more detailbelow.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, means are provided for selectively allowingair to be introduced into each combustion chamber 72. Preferably, thismeans comprises an intake valve 96 positioned in each intake passage 94.The intake valves 96 are preferably opened and closed with an intakecamshaft 98. The intake camshaft 98 comprises a number of actuatinglobes 100 positioned on a rotating shaft 102. The manner by which theintake camshaft 98 is rotated is described in more detail below. Theintake camshaft 98 is preferably enclosed by a camshaft cover 104 whichis connected to the cylinder head 46 with one or more seals 106therebetween.

Fuel is provided to each combustion chamber 72 for fueling thecombustion process with a fuel system 107. Preferably, a fuel injector108 (see FIGS. 1, 3 and 7) is positioned so that its injector nozzleextends into each intake passage 94 for providing fuel to the incomingair. As illustrated in FIG. 4, fuel is supplied to each injector 108through a pair of fuel lines 112 from a vapor separator tank 114. Fuelis drawn from a fuel tank (not shown), through a fuel line 116 by a fuelpump 118, from where it is delivered to the separator tank 114 through afuel line 120. Advantageously, and as best illustrated in FIG. 3, thefuel pump 118 and separator tank 114 are positioned along the side ofthe engine and generally opposite the cylinder head 46.

An ignition system is provided for igniting the air/fuel mixture withineach combustion chamber 72. This ignition system includes a spark plug122 having its tip positioned within the combustion chamber 72 and ahead portion 124 extending outwardly of the cylinder head 46. The headportion 124 of the spark plug 122 extends into a hollow area 126 of thecam shaft cover 104. The head portion 124 of the spark plug 122 issupported, in part, by a flange 128 extending into the hollow area 126from each side of the cover 104, the flange 128 having a curved seatportion 130 engaging the spark plug 124.

A cover plate 132 encloses the hollow area 126 within the cover 124 andis connected thereto by bolts 134. A seal 138 is provided between theplate 132 and cover 104 for preventing water and the like from enteringthe hollow area 126.

Ignition wires 138,140 extend from the spark plugs 122 to a pair ofignition coils 142a,b. The ignition coils 142a,b are charged with analternator 144 (See FIG. 3), which is described in more detail below.

As best illustrated in FIG. 5, an exhaust system 150 is provided forrouting exhaust from each combustion chamber 72 to a point outside ofthe outboard motor 20. The exhaust system 150 includes an exhaustpassage 152 leading through the cylinder head 46 from each combustionchamber 152 (See FIG. 7). Flow of exhaust from the combustion chamber 72to this passage 152 is controlled with a valve 154, the valve operatedby an exhaust camshaft 156 comprising a rotatable shaft 158 having anumber of actuating lobes 160 thereon. As with the intake camshaft 98,the exhaust camshaft 156 is rotatably journalled with respect to thecylinder head 46 and positioned within the camshaft cover 104.

Exhaust which passes through the exhaust passages 152 flows to anexhaust manifold 162 (See FIGS. 3, 5, 6 and 8). The exhaust manifold 162is connected to the cylinder head 46 with several bolts 164 on the sidethereof opposite that where the intake air runners 92 are connected tothe cylinder head, whereby heat from the exhaust does not readily affectthe intake air which is provided the engine, improving engineefficiency. The exhaust manifold 162 extends generally vertically alongthe engine 22, and has an inlet 166 corresponding to the exhaust passageoutlet of each of the combustion chambers 72. Notably, while the inlets166 are in general alignment (along line L in FIG. 8), the passage 168through the manifold 162 undulates. A manifold outlet 170 is provided atthe bottom of the manifold 162 generally opposite the inlets 166.

Advantageously, since exhaust manifold 162 includes a number ofmountings 172 through which the bolts 164 extend. As illustrated in FIG.8, these mountings 172 are generally in alignment along opposite sidesof the manifold 162. This particular mounting arrangement ensures that,even if the manifold 162 warps or bends, the distances between themountings 172 remains fixed in the cross-direction. This particularvertical arrangement for the exhaust manifold 162 wherein the inlets 166are arranged within a single passage and the outlet 179 is positionedbelow the engine 22 allows for a compact arrangement.

As described in more detail below, but also illustrated in FIGS. 5 and7, the coolant passages 174 are formed within the manifold 162surrounding the exhaust passage 168 therethrough. The passages 174 arearranged so that coolant from an inlet port 176 flows upwardly from theexhaust outlet 170 to cool the length of the manifold 162, as describedin more detail below.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the exhaust outlet 170 extends to a connectingtube 178 which extends around the bottom of the engine 22 to adownwardly extending exhaust pipe 180. The exhaust pipe 180 leads to apassage 188 leading through the upper section 56 of the lower unit 32and through a passage 190 in the lower section 58 of the lower unit 32to exhaust passage 190 through the propeller 68 to an underwaterdischarge. This exhaust path is circumvented in favor of an above-waterdischarge port 194 in those cases where the engine 22 is running at idleor near idle conditions.

The exhaust guide 60 has an upper section 182, a middle section 184, anda lower section 186. As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4, 9 and 10, a flywheel196 is positioned within a recess 198 which is formed by the uppersection 182 of the exhaust guide 60. The flywheel 196 is connected tothe crankshaft 52 via several bolts 200 (See FIG. 2). The drive shaft 54is connected to shaft section 197 extending from the flywheel 196through a pump sleeve 212 of an oil pump 210, as disclosed below. Inthis arrangement, the crankshaft 52, flywheel 196 and drive shaft 54 allrotate with one another.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, a starter motor 202 is provided for rotatingthe flywheel 196 and starting the engine. The starter motor 202 isprovided on the side of the engine opposite the cylinder head 46, and asillustrated in FIG. 9, is mounted thereto with a starter motor mount204. The starter motor 202 is primarily positioned within a recessedsection of the upper section 182 of the exhaust guide 60, as illustratedin FIG. 9. The starter motor 204 has an output pinion gear 206 havingteeth thereon for engagement with teeth 199 of the flywheel 196.

The above-stated position of the starter motor 204 has the advantagethat, being mounted low on the engine 22, it aids in maintaining a lowcenter of gravity for the engine 22. As the center of gravity of theengine 22 remains low, the tilt or "trim" feature of the outboard motor20 is more efficient. In addition, the starter motor 204 does notinterfere with the space required for the air intake or throttle body,nor does the starter extend in front of the cylinder head 46 in aposition which would interfere with access to the valves therein.Another advantage is that the starter motor 204 directly engages theflywheel 196, eliminating the need for a second gear positioned on thecrankshaft 52 for engagement by the starter motor 204 in starting theengine.

The engine 22 includes a lubricating system for providing lubricantthereto. Preferably, the lubricating system includes an oil tank 208, anoil pump 210, and a number of passages. The oil tank 208 is positionedbelow the engine 22 within the lower unit 32 of the motor 20.

The pump 210 is driven by the rotation of the pump sleeve 212. Thisposition of the oil pump 210 allows the starter motor 204 to bepositioned as stated above, and is advantageous since it forms theconnection between the flywheel and drive shaft, thus eliminating aseparate connector therefor.

Oil from the oil tank 208 is pumped through an oil strainer 214 throughan oil pipe 216 and an oil passage 218 within the middle section 184 ofthe exhaust guide 60 (See FIGS. 4 and 10). This pumped oil is forwardedto an oil filter 220 by the pump through an oil compression passage 224provided in the upper section 182 of the exhaust guide (See FIG. 9) andoil compression passage 222 in the middle section 184 of the exhaustguide 60 (See FIG. 10) and an external oil line 226. The passage of theoil through the exhaust guide 60 in the above-stated manner is desirablesince it permits routing of the oil in a manner which avoids theflywheel 196, and yet is compact in nature.

Notably, the oil filter 220 is conveniently positioned between the splitpairs of air intake runners 92, thereby providing easy access thereto.In addition, the filter 220 is positioned on the side of the engine 22opposite the alternator 144 and exhaust system 150, so that the heatgenerated therefrom does not add to the heating of the oil.

The filtered oil is pumped from the filter 220 to the engine 22 throughanother oil line 228, from which it is distributed throughout theinterior of the engine 22. Once circulated, the oil returns to the oiltank 208 through a return passage 232 in the upper section 182 sectionof the exhaust guide 60 aligned with a return 230 in the middle section184 of the exhaust guide 60 (See FIGS. 2 and 4).

Means are provided for driving the alternator 144 and the camshafts98,156. Preferably, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the alternator 144 ismounted to the cylinder block 44 with a bracket 146 and bolts 148.Advantageously, the alternator 144 is positioned on the side of theengine 22 opposite the air intake system, whereby the alternator 144does not cause a heating of the incoming air and does not affect therouting of the runners 92.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, a sprocket 232 and pulley 234 aremounted on an end of the crankshaft 52 extending beyond the cylinderblock 44 opposite the flywheel 196. The pulley 234 is in drivingrelation to a pulley 236 of the alternator 144 by a drive belt 238.

The sprocket 232 is connected to camshaft sprockets 240,242 which arepositioned on the ends of the intake and exhaust camshafts 98,156,respectively. A belt 244 extends in driving relation between thesprocket 232 and the camshaft sprockets 240,242.

The engine 22 includes a coolant system. The coolant system includes acoolant pump 250 (See FIG. 1) which is driven by the drive shaft 54. Thecoolant pump 250 pumps coolant (in this case, water from the body ofwater in which the outboard motor is positioned) from an inlet throughthe lower unit 32 upwardly through a coolant passage 252 to an exhaustpipe connector 254. From there, the coolant is directed to the exhaustsystem 150. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the coolant flows through apassage 256 provided through the connector 256 around the exhaust pipe180.

As best illustrated in FIG. 5, the coolant passage 256 is connected tothe coolant passage 174 of the exhaust manifold 162. A coolant inletport 258 is provided at the bottom of the cylinder head 46. The coolantinlet ports 176,258 are connected by a coolant pipe 260 which isexternal to the cylinder block 44. The coolant is guided from the top ofthe exhaust manifold 162 to the bottom of the cylinder head 46. Thecoolant which is guided to the cylinder head 46 flows inside of coolantpassages 262,264 (See FIGS. 4 and 5) for cooling the cylinder head 46and cylinder block 44.

At the bottom of the cylinder head 46, a pressure regulator 266 isprovided for opening and closing a drain pipe 268. The regulator 266opens to allow coolant to drain through the drain pipe 268 when thecoolant pressure within the cylinder head 46 and block 44 exceeds apredetermined high pressure.

A coolant passage 270 is provided for returning the coolant to theexhaust system 150. This passage 270 is formed in the upper portion ofthe cylinder block 44. The coolant is drained to the exhaust system 150through a thermostat 272 (which is positioned on a bracket 273, as bestillustrated in FIG. 3) and coolant pipe 274. The coolant pipe 274extends to a coolant drain 276 formed in the lower section 186 of theexhaust guide 60. This drain 276 is drained to a passage 278 formed inthe connector 254 (See FIG. 11).

As illustrated in FIG. 12 in schematic form, the coolant is pumped bythe pump 250 to the exhaust system 150 along the exhaust pipe 180 andexhaust guide 60. First, the coolant cools the exhaust manifold 162.Then, it is muted to cool the cylinder head 46 and cylinder block 44,with the maximum pressure of the coolant therein regulated by thepressure regulator 266. The coolant is returned to the exhaust guide 60through the thermostat 272 and is used to then cool the exhaust pipe 180before being discharged from the motor 20.

The arrangement of the cooling system has a number of significantadvantages. First, the coolant is supplied to the area with the highesttemperatures first, thereby prolonging the life of those parts andimproving engine performance. In addition, the flow path of the coolantfrom the exhaust system 150 to the bottom part of the cylinder head 46,and then from the upper part of the cylinder block 44 to the exhaustpipe 180 has the advantage of providing a smooth coolant flow path. Inaddition, since the thermostat 272 is positioned along the coolant pathafter the coolant has passed through the cylinder head 46 and cylinderblock 44, the coolant temperature is not subject to larger temperatureswings, whereby operation of the thermostat in opening and closing thecoolant path is efficient and effective.

The position of the thermostat 72 is also advantageous (at the top ofthe engine), since it is positioned outside of that area traversed bythe belt 244 which drives the camshafts 98,156, and is thus easilyremovable without interference. At the same time, the thermostat 272 ispositioned near the belt 244 occupying an otherwise empty space adjacentthereto and minimizing the size of the engine 22.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, anti-corrosion electrodes 280 or"anodes" of a type known to those skilled in the art are provided in thecylinder block 44 adjacent the bores defining the combustion chambers72, facing the coolant passages 264 thereabout. The electrodes 280 arepreferably staggered on opposite sides of the combustion chambers 72,and effectively reduce the corrosive effects of the flow of the coolantthrough the cylinder block 44.

In addition, similar electrodes 282 are provided in the cylinder head 46facing the coolant passages 262 so as to prevent corrosion of thecylinder head 46 by the coolant.

These electrodes 280,282 are preferably mounted within sand drain holes284,286 which are provided during the casting process of the cylinderblock 44 and cylinder head 46, thereby providing for a low manufacturingcost. Further, the electrodes 280,282 are easily installed duringassembly of the engine in this fashion.

Of course, the foregoing description is that of preferred embodiments ofthe invention, and various changes and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. In combination, an engine cowling and an internalcombustion engine positioned therein, said cowling having at least oneair vent therethrough, said engine having a block with at least onevariable volume combustion chamber, an intake passage leading to saidchamber and an exhaust passage leading therefrom, a member movablypositioned within each combustion chamber driving a crankshaft which isrotatably journalled with respect to said block, at least one camshaftactuating means for opening and closing said intake and exhaustpassages, means for driving said camshaft positioned on an end of saidengine adjacent said cowling, a cover extending around and generallyenclosing said means for driving and defining between said cover andsaid cowling an air flow passage from said vent, said cover having anair inlet portion comprising a passage extending through said cover toan air passage which extends to intake passage.
 2. The combination inaccordance with claim 1, wherein said cowling comprises an outboardmotor cowling.
 3. The combination in accordance with claim 1, whereinsaid camshaft and crankshaft extend beyond said end of said engine, andsaid means for driving comprises a belt engaging a pulley attached tosaid camshaft and a pulley attached to said crankshaft.
 4. Thecombination in accordance with claim 1, wherein said engine furtherincludes an ignition system for initiating combustion in said combustionchamber, said ignition system including an alternator for providing anelectric current, said alternator positioned on a side of said engineopposite said engine air intake.
 5. The combination in accordance withclaim 1, wherein said passage through said cover leads to a throttlebody, said throttle body and cover separated by a flexible member, saidmember defining an air passage therethrough for delivering air passinginto said opening in said cover to said throttle body.
 6. Thecombination in accordance with claim 5, further including a surge tankand a runner extending from said surge tank to each of said intakepassages, said throttle body having a passage therethrough leading tosaid surge tank.
 7. The combination in accordance with claim 1, whereinsaid engine is oriented such that said crankshaft extends vertically andsaid cover is positioned at a top side of said engine.
 8. Thecombination in accordance with claim 5, wherein said flexible membercomprises a rubber hose.
 9. An outboard motor having a cowling with anair vent therein and powered by an internal combustion engine positionedwithin said cowling, said engine comprising a cylinder block, a cylinderhead connected to said block and cooperating therewith to define atleast one combustion chamber, a member movably mounted on saidcombustion chamber and connected to a vertically oriented crankshaft,said crankshaft journalled for rotation with respect to said block andhaving first end extending beyond a top end of said engine, an airintake passage leading through said cylinder head to said combustionchamber and an exhaust passage leading from said combustion chamberthrough said cylinder head, valve means for opening and closing saidintake and exhaust passages, said valve means operated by at least onecamshaft journalled for rotation with respect to said cylinder head andarranged vertically, said camshaft having an end extending beyond saidtop end of said engine, a drive belt extending in driving relationbetween said first end of said crankshaft and said end of said camshaft,whereby said crankshaft drives said camshaft, a cover extending oversaid drive belt and crankshaft and camshaft at said top end of saidengine, said cover and cowling of said motor defining therebetween anair passage, a runner extending to each air intake passage, each runnerhaving an inlet, said cover having an air passage defined therethroughfrom said air passage between said cover and said cowling for directingair therefrom to said runner.
 10. The outboard motor in accordance withclaim 9, further including a throttle body having passage therethroughand a throttle plate therein for regulating the passage of air throughsaid passage, said throttle body having an inlet and an outlet, saidoutlet leading to said runners and said inlet in communication with saidair passage through said cover.
 11. The outboard motor in accordancewith claim 10, wherein a flexible tube defines an air path from said airpassage through said cover to said inlet of said throttle body.
 12. Theoutboard motor in accordance with claim 11, wherein said flexible tubecomprises a rubber hose.
 13. The outboard motor in accordance with claim11, wherein said outlet of said throttle body extends to a surge tank,and wherein said runners extend from said surge tank.
 14. The outboardmotor in accordance with claim 10, wherein said cover comprises a wall,said wall having an outer surface and an inner surface, said outersurface facing said cowling, and wherein said air passage is defined byan opening in said wall.
 15. The outboard motor in accordance with claim14, wherein said outer surface has an opening therein defined by asegment of said wall extending towards said engine.